Edmund Gwenn won the 1946 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of "the one and only Santa Claus" in the original version of "Miracle on 34th Street." The movie is set against the backdrop of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Alastair Sim played Ebenezer Scrooge -- not Santa Claus -- in the acclaimed 1951 version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but neither he nor the film were recognized by the Academy Awards. More than two decades later, Sim reprised the role, after a fashion, giving voice to Scrooge in a 28-minute animated version of the story. The cartoon (but not Sim), did win a 1973 Oscar, for Best Animated Short Subject.

Jimmy Stewart starred as George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, regarded by many as the best Christmas film of all time. Bailey was a banker, and the film does not feature Santa Claus. The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards, but won none. (The Oscar for best actor in 1946 went to Frederic March for The Best Years of our Lives, which also was honored as best picture.)

A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, was a TV show, not a movie. But it did win an Emmy, for best children's program of the 1964-65 season.

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